THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Plants for a shady border… be aware, some can cope with deeper shade than others, but all are worthwhile garden plants. For more plants, try Dan Pearson’s list…
Scilla
Snowdrop
Narcissus
Leucojum
Liriope
Hakonechloa
Deschampsia
Foxgloves
Aquilegia
Honesty
Campion
Forget me not
Campanula
Clematis
Cephalaria
Thalictrum
Epimedium
Gillenia
Alchemilla
Hellebore
Japanese anemone
Trillium
Brunnera
Trollius
Bergenia
Tellima
Hosta
Pulmonaria
Aster
Primula
Rodgersia
Asarum
Kirengeshoma
Gallium
Convallaria
Buxus
Hydrangea
Daphne
Sarcococca
Ribes
Ilex
Rosa
Cherry
Polypodium
Dryopteris
For books on what plants to use for a shady border, try these…
Alan Titchmarsh How to Garden: Gardening in the Shade
Planting the Dry Shade Garden: The Best Plants for the Toughest Spot in Your Garden
And probably one of the best writers about gardens… Keith Wiley:
A Topiary Calendar – When To Prune
Below are a few pointers on when you need to think about your topiary and hedges this year, so you can make sure you clip at the best time and not waste any effort doing work you don’t need to do… January & February Roses, fruit trees and wisteria is where the focus lies. Yes, it is cold and the work can be unpleasant because you are often stood on a ladder with your secateurs, barely moving enough to warm the body, but get these jobs done well, with care, and you can enjoy the fruits and flowers of your …
The English Garden Magazine – On Our Topiary Workshop
Last September when I and topiary artist (and mentor) Charlotte Molesworth ran a weekend of topiary masterclasses we had a visit from the garden writer Non Morris. You can read more about Non and her garden design work and writings here. She has written a lovely article for the February 2022 edition of The English Garden Magazine about her afternoon working with us and learning about topiary – I’m really thrilled by the piece, because she mentions not just a little of the wonderful history of Balmoral Cottage and how the garden grew, but also shares a little of how …
Topiary Provocation Autumn 2021
This Autumn I have presented another ‘Topiary Provocation’ to keen gardeners and designers. If you want to know more about topiary, the report on what we discussed and where modern topiary is going can be read by clicking the link below: Topiary Provocation Report Autumn 2021 This report is free to post on your own website or blog, just credit Modern Mint, and don’t change anything within it. Alternatively you can just share it with keen friends… or enemies?